Rocking Chair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1800-1815
MediumMaple, ash, pine
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 42 1/8 x 21 x 27 7/16in. (107 x 53.3 x 69.7cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of the estate of Miss Adele R. Hough
Object number1970.24.3
DescriptionRocking armchair in the Windsor style, with an extension top, a square-back, bamboo-turned posts, legs, and stretchers, and a plank seat. The back of the chair is formed by a crest rail atop five tall spindles; the crest rail is serpentine, with a shaped upper edge consisting of an arch in the center flanked by a small pointed ear. The spindles that support the crest rail extend down to form part of the square back, which consists of two horizontal rails, or bows, between two four-part bamboo-turned posts. To each side of these five spindles are two additional spindles, one that extends from the top bow to the seat, and one that extends from the bottom bow to the seat. Each arm is bowed down slightly and has a handhold that is curved down at the front. The top edges of each arm are decorated with incised bead molding. Each arm is supported by two spindles and one three-part bamboo-turned arm support just behind the handhold. The plank seat is square with rounded corners; the top surface is saucered, or recessed slightly. Below the seat are four three-part bamboo-turned legs that are raked, or slanted out from top to bottom. Each side of the armchair has a single two-part bamboo-turned stretcher joining the lower legs. A medial stretcher with three-part bamboo turnings extends between the two side stretchers. The chair has two rockers, one at each side, that are joined to the bottom of the legs. The rockers are closer in the back and tilted out toward the front.
Condition: The top surface of both arms are well worn. The back of each arm is probably screwed to the post; this is a later repair. The top back edge of the right arm is replaced. Both the front and back surface of the plank seat are repaired or replaced. The wedges in two tenons on the underside of the plank seat are replaced. The rockers are possibly replaced. The rocking armchair is refinished.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the five spindles. The five spindles extend down through the two bows of the square back. The bows are each tenoned into the top of the turned posts. Flanking the five center spindles is a spindle that is tenoned up through the top bow, and a second spindle that is tenoned up into the lower bow. The back of each arm was originally tenoned and pinned into the post (now held in place with a screw hidden behind wooden plugs). Each arm is supported on a tenon at the top of the back spindle and a through tenon at the top of the front spindle and post. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The front of the spindle platform is outlined with a narrow groove. The posts and arm supports are tenoned down through the plank seat; a small wedge is inserted through the end of each of these through tenons. The seat is supported on a through tenon at the top of each of the four legs; a small wedge is inserted through the end of each of these through tenons. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs; the medial stretcher is tenoned into the side stretchers. The rockers fit into a rabbet at the lower outer side of each leg; each rocker is screwed to this joint at the bottom of the two side legs.
Condition: The top surface of both arms are well worn. The back of each arm is probably screwed to the post; this is a later repair. The top back edge of the right arm is replaced. Both the front and back surface of the plank seat are repaired or replaced. The wedges in two tenons on the underside of the plank seat are replaced. The rockers are possibly replaced. The rocking armchair is refinished.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the five spindles. The five spindles extend down through the two bows of the square back. The bows are each tenoned into the top of the turned posts. Flanking the five center spindles is a spindle that is tenoned up through the top bow, and a second spindle that is tenoned up into the lower bow. The back of each arm was originally tenoned and pinned into the post (now held in place with a screw hidden behind wooden plugs). Each arm is supported on a tenon at the top of the back spindle and a through tenon at the top of the front spindle and post. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The front of the spindle platform is outlined with a narrow groove. The posts and arm supports are tenoned down through the plank seat; a small wedge is inserted through the end of each of these through tenons. The seat is supported on a through tenon at the top of each of the four legs; a small wedge is inserted through the end of each of these through tenons. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs; the medial stretcher is tenoned into the side stretchers. The rockers fit into a rabbet at the lower outer side of each leg; each rocker is screwed to this joint at the bottom of the two side legs.
Status
Not on view
